befriending

present participle of befriend

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of befriending Lula is a champion of the Palestinian cause; Bolsonaro, like his father, has made a point of befriending the Israeli right. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026 The Trasks encounter a wide swath of citizens, haggling with sneaky cheats, exploiting innocent fools, and befriending big-hearted neighbors. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026 Holmes invited documentarians to capture the Theranos founder’s last few days of freedom before going to prison (and eventually befriending Jen Shah/shunning Ghislaine Maxwell). — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026 Gigi had joined Hollis’ girls’ weekend after befriending her online out of complicated guilt over her affair with Matthew. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026 Yes, many passengers on these upscale brief sailings enjoy a drink or two, but befriending a bartender isn’t the mission. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 15 July 2026 Henrietta also had a particular fondness for befriending young women, and disseminating scientific works and sharing knowledge with them. — Leah Hudson, Popular Science, 9 July 2026 Living in Rio de Janeiro, Luiza dreams of being an artist, eventually befriending a local graffiti group. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 16 June 2026 Palmer-Tomkinson was friends with both William and Prince Harry, befriending them in childhood. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 29 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for befriending
Verb
  • The Paris march proceeded peacefully, with students, workers and retirees joining.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The company also used non-compete agreements restricting employees from joining rivals for two years, as part of their employment contracts, with senior employees holding valuable technical expertise likely facing closer scrutiny.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Black asserts that the statements made by Garcia are false and that traveling to appear on national television to make such statements about the inquiry into Epstein’s crimes goes beyond the purview of a member of Congress.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Another big game has Fort Worth Carter-Riverside (6-3, 3-3) traveling over to Scarborough-Handley Field to take on Fort Worth Southwest (4-5, 3-3) for the final playoff berth in the district.
    — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Befriending.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/befriending. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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